Tito Ortiz Eyes Quick UFC Return, Wants Forrest Griffin Rubber Match

After being forced out of the UFC Fight Night 24 main event against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by a cut, Tito Ortiz is hoping for a quick return to the Octagon and wants the UFC to book a rubber match with fellow former champion Forrest Griffin.

“Hopefully in May or June,” Ortiz told MMAFighting. “It’s up to Dana and the UFC to let the fight happen. I know people want to see me fight again, so let’s do a Forrest-Ortiz 3. He’s a former world champion, our last two fights have been awesome – so let’s just put on a 3.”

Ortiz (15-8-1) edged The Ultimate Fighter winner Griffin by split decision in their first meeting in 2006, which was also the last year Ortiz recorded a win. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is winless in five-straight, including a split decision loss to Griffin in their rematch in 2009 and a unanimous decision defeat to Matt Hamill in his most-recent fight in October.

Griffin (18-6) topped Rich Franklin last month at UFC 126 for his second-straight win following back-to-back losses to Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva.